Travel Briefs

In Britain, the upkeep of 72 lighthouses in England, Wales and the Channel Islands is overseen by Trinity House (Tower Hill, London, EC3N 4DH; phone 020 7481 6900, www.trinityhouse.co.uk), which was granted its charter by Henry VIII in 1514.

At 13 of these sites, visitors can stay in cottages that were once the homes of lighthouse keepers. Many have a minimum stay of two or three nights. 

Examples — three nights at Beacon Cottage, which is by Start Point Lighthouse in Devon and sleeps six, costs £683 ($1,065), while a week in Cornwall at Longships Cottage (sleeps four) at...

At the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew (Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK; phone 02 8332 5655, visit www.kew.org), in Greater London, two new installations open May 24, 2008.

• At the Rhizotron, an underground display, visitors will enter through a “crack” in the earth and watch a changing LED light mosaic that depicts the interactions between tree roots and soil microorganisms such as fungi. Animated wall displays further carry out the theme.

• Eighteen meters (59 feet) above ground level, the 200-meter-long Xstrata Treetop Walkway winds through Kew’s tree canopy, allowing visitors...

Eight-day/7-night “women only” cruises to the Galápagos Islands will sail April 13-20 and Aug. 24-31, 2008.

Rates of $2,676-$3,250 per person, double, include nonalcoholic beverages, shore excursions, airport/dock transfers in the islands, and use of wetsuits, snorkeling equipment and sea kayaks. Excluded are airfare, entrance fees, taxes and gratuities.

Ecoventura/Galapagos Network (58805 Blue Lagoon Dr., Ste. 160, Miami, FL 33126; 800/633-7972 or 305/262-6264, www.ecoventura.com).